May 19 Waco Downtown Farmers Market

It was another great Sat. at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  In addition to being a great farmers market, you just feel good when you’re there, because it’s such a fantastic atmosphere.  Caprino Royale was finally there, and I got some fresh feta.  Now I’m not a lover of goat milk products, but when they’re done right and they’re fresh, they are really good.  Ask for a taste before you buy.  We also got fresh purple potatoes from Vanderpool.  Purple potatoes are one of my favorite things, so I made sure to get there early before they sold out.  This week I decided to have breakfast at market, and had a grass-fed beef burger!  It was amazing, and they put homemade mustard and pico de gallo on it.  I’m having trouble telling you about it, without my mouth watering.

Sunday morning it just felt right to make an omelet with all natural really meaty bacon, duck eggs, and fresh feta.  My husband really liked it, which is always a good endorsement.  I had a side of Squash Parmesan Flat (I haven’t given you the recipe yet, but it’s coming this week).  It made fighting with the deer and the bugs this week, a little more bearable.

Ciao Chia

Who knew when we were growing all those chia pets in the 1970s, that we should’ve been eating them!!  I know I’ve mentioned Chia Seeds and that I’ve been testing Omega 3 on myself.  I’m more convinced than ever that the lack of Omega 3 in our diets in a major factor in disease.  Some of the differences I have noticed in myself are the elimination of all of my digestive problems (and they were numerous) plus no food cravings, no more cracks in the skin of my heels and toes, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol.  Of course chia is not responsible for all of this, but Omega 3 is, and chia is a very rich source of Omega 3.

Chia seeds can be added easily to practically anything.  I always add them to oatmeal and scrambled eggs.  The articles referenced below have other good suggestions.  To get some good information about chia, click here for the short article in Better Nutrition.  For one of the articles that goes with that, click here.

Although chia is a rich source of Omega 3, the addition of it to your diet is probably not enough to balance out the Omega 6 we all get with most of the food we eat, whether from supermarkets or restaurants.  (Omega 6 promotes inflammation, Omega 3 reduces inflammation.)  So some modification of diet over time will also help.  Here are things I’ve done to bump up Omega 3 levels:

• Daily trifecta of – chia seeds, and (5-7) macadamia nuts, and an EPA/DHA supplement
• Omega 3 chicken eggs – I buy locally (yard eggs)
• Butter from pastured cows
• Generally organic dairy from pastured cows
• Tomatoes, celery, potatoes – I buy organic or grow my own
• Meat from pastured animals, hormone and antibiotic free

These are the big changes I’ve made.  It is more expensive, but much cheaper than medications and medical problems, so I’m actually saving money by improving the quality of the foods I eat.  And the biggest thing is I feel better.  Of course, I’m viewing chia as a “crop” now, and have some planted to see how that works out!

Staying Active

The Nutrition Source from the Harvard School of Public Health has a new article with some good guidelines on how much exercise we need, what exercise intensity we need, etc.  To view the article, click here.

Here’s my little aside!

There’s lots of activity that is not involve a designated exercise program, that works well.  Our ancestors did not set special times and places to exercise.  Their daily activities help keep them healthy and in shape.  Being dedicated to an exercise routine is one of the hardest commitments a lot of people make.  Sometimes, it’s better to have “reasons” for activity.  So you feel like you’re accomplishing something, while you’re exercising.

• Gardening and yard work -  My preference is gardening, of course.  Not only do you get good food out of the deal, but great exercise.
• Clean your house, your closets, your cabinets  -  Put some music on and dance while you’re working to give you even more activity.  You’re bending, stretching, moving.
• Hang your clothes outside to dry -  I know it’s a pain, but it makes you move and stretch.  Plus you save money on electricity, and it’s greener.  Surely one of those reasons will make you say, “OK, I’ll do it!”
• Take a hike  -  There are great places to hike all over central Texas, check State Park Hiking and Walking Trails.  You can enjoy being outside and getting exercise.
• Fidget  -  If you’re watching TV or sitting at the computer or reading, move or fidget, get up and down.  Any muscle movement is better than being still.
• Grocery store or any shopping  -  Park way out in the parking lot and walk briskly into the store.  When you’re pushing that shopping cart, stand up straight and walk with purpose!